From birth, and even already in his mother’s womb, the baby sucks his thumb and secretes endorphins (pleasure hormones). This sucking reflex is therefore very soothing and helps regulate the sleep and relaxation cycles of young children.

Appearing from its conception in utero, the baby likes to suck his thumb and feels reassured by adopting this feeding reflex. After his birth and during his first weeks of life, he even sucks fingers other than his thumb, toys or a pacifier provided for this purpose. During an attack of tears, physical discomfort or stress, it is even the only way to succeed in calming and soothing baby.

But then there comes an age when this habit can become problematic. It is around 4 or 5 years old that doctors, dentists and early childhood professionals advise parents to stop using the thumb systematically to sleep or calm the child. Indeed, if this routine continues longer, we can observe dental concerns, such as changes in the shape of the palate and problems. orthodontics, sometimes irreversible.

During fatigue, anger or a stressful situation, the child can find an instant and very soothing solution in a jiffy by placing his thumb in his mouth and activating his sucking reflex. It’s a quick and easy way to feel reassured and relax.

On the other hand, this habit tends to lock the child. With his thumb in his mouth, he is embarrassed to speak, smile or play. Worse, he isolates himself and no longer communicates with his entourage and reduces his phases of play since one of his hands is occupied. Better to encourage him to reserve this mania for bedtime or naps, and encourage him to give up his thumb during the day.

For most children, this abandonment will be fairly easy and will happen rather naturally. But if the little one is not able to stop this childhood habit on his own, there are little tips to help him make the decision:

• Explain to him that sucking his thumb is only for little ones and that he is now a big one. With your support and his desire to be considered as a child and no longer as a baby, his motivation will be stronger;
• Pick the right time. No need to couple this ordeal to a complicated period of his life (cleanliness, birth of a brother or sister, divorce, moving, entering school, etc.);
• Act slowly and gradually. Allow the thumb only in the evening, then reduce to weekends only for example. Slowly and gently, the child will detach himself more easily from this habit;
• Never be critical. Scolding or laughing at him for failure is counterproductive. On the contrary, show him that it is nothing and that he will get there next time and encourage him to communicate and explain why he felt the need to take his thumb again. Often linked to a malaise, the recovery of the thumb can be understood and verbalized so that next time, it is not automatic. Communicating in order to calm down, here is a beautiful axis of “deconditioning” of the child to help him to give up his mania;
• Also give it clear and achievable goals and build a game out of this challenge. It is also essential to value your successes with a table, for example, which it will fill in for each success and which will give rise to a small reward;
• Finally, if nothing helps, you can use products that will give a bitter taste to the child’s fingers to accompany his efforts.

In case of a difficult course to pass during the day, or a sudden fatigue that would make him want to crack, offer him an activity that will mobilize both hands and share this moment with him. By diverting his attention and soothing him through the game, you will allow him to forget this urge to suck which seemed essential to him. Offering a hug or reading a story are also soothing solutions that will help children relax without feeling the need to suck their thumbs.

Getting your child to stop sucking their thumbs takes a long time. You will need to be patient and understanding and support him every step of the way to get there. But, after all, isn’t that by definition all parenting work?